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The production of this program has been made possible in part by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Educational Telecommunications Association. The highly sensitive subject to the citizens of America and perhaps to citizens throughout the world certainly a magnificent animal. And when you visit aside like to grey like the pristine environment and I'm fortunate enough to see these beautiful birds flying around and calling to you as you sit on the shore perhaps a boat out into the light you can't help but feel affected by them and the next day when you return and find that beautiful animal lying dead on the shoreline or floating. It takes a very heavy emotional toll. I think that was in the back of all of our minds that that we were dealing
with something that was man created man General killing all the go national So the death toll stands at 3:00 this morning something is wrong with us really that we don't know any more right now than we did from the first beagle. It is also our we'll being. We're stewards of the land stewards of God's creation and are here to care for wildlife. Bald eagles are dying on the lakes in Arkansas and some of the top scientists in the country have no idea why the first dead eagle was found on the gray
lake on Thanksgiving Day 1994. Since that time nearly 60 those have died on the way and surrounding lakes only abnormality in these birds was that there was a change a microscopic change in the grain of the birds and that really was the only finding. Otherwise these birds look like perfectly healthy normal birds they were in good body condition everything looked normal visibly to just look at the bird. It was only on doing detailed microscopic examination of the tissues from these birds that we found that they had a change in in their brain so the brains of these birds were different were not normal as compared to other Eagles. These findings were discovered from the crops are stored like Rachael Ray tests performed after dead birds were shipped from Arkansas you know at the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison Wisconsin.
This particular change that we're seeing in the brain is is quite unusual. It's not something that we have ever seen before cause mortality in free ranging wildlife. But what is causing the brain lesions is a mystery. The fight to save the Eagles began nearly 40 years ago when Rachel Carson reported the use of the pesticide DDT was virtually destroying the birds ability to reproduce rebuilders for the first time to us. And suddenly it set off a wave of environmental concern that continues to this die the Endangered Species Act was passed.
DDT was banned in the United States and it became illegal to cause harm to any bird of prey. Predators are at the top of the food chain. That's often where we see the first signs of a major catastrophe when they are going to saw Eagle die off was discovered. There was a media concern that our national symbol could again be in big trouble. That concern that we were dealing with some pox and as DDT was in the past in the 40s and 50s. Yes that drove much of what we were. Much of the fear and concern. The number of illegals too in America in the lower 48 states numbers about 4000 pairs and a sudden die off of egos of course could affect whether we the USA species or not or reduce its listing from endangered to threatened in the winter of 1994 and 95 20 not bald eagles
died at the Great Lakes. Not yet. Within a short time several possible causes were ruled out including illegal hunting and common poisons. Why. Most illegals were found dead. Some have died very recently. Some say a team of researchers was assembled to try to find the cause of death. The scientist worked for the Corps of Engineers Fish and Wildlife Service and Game and Fish Commission others representing universities and environmental foundations ad agencies volunteered their time and energy. There have been a myriad of tests run by different analytical institutions and laboratories. We know today that we have
had no pesticide involvement. We know that we have had no evidence of botulism contamination. We had no infectious diseases nor viruses bacteria involved and we've had no parasitic involvement. Today we have not been able to. Identify any type of toxin or heavy metal or other individual component in any of the tissue samples or environmental samples such as water and sediment and plant material that have been analyzed as well. We know that if we're out again tonight and there are any additional impaired birds every apparent lead was followed. But each effort led to a dead end. I think when any scientist tries to solve a problem. And and you continue to get mostly negative results you don't get any information which seems to come together to give us a solution.
It's extremely frustrating you have to go back and read to find the questions you're asking redefine your experiment if you will to try to understand better what's going on. I was trained as a wildlife biologist that if you use the latest technology available if you follow appropriate sampling protocol and you use the proper methodology for the questions you're trying to answer then you will logically have an answer as the result. Well we have done that repeatedly as we have researched various avenues in trying to solve this incident and keep coming up with negative results are no answers. The only thing that helps me keep it in perspective is remembering that early on in my wildlife training I was taught that the only absolute in nature is that there are no absolutes. She's really evolving and is very dynamic and she will have new surprises around every day.
And fortunately most of the time those are pleasant surprises. But every now and then to throw an unpleasant one we have to deal with. In the fall of 1995 the research team was primed for another die off and ready to continue the investigation through late fall and early winter there was a diligent search for sick or dead Eagles but only one dead eagle was found at nearby Lake Washington. A popular
theory was the episode had been some kind of seasonal fluke and would never happen again. But by the next Thanksgiving six hoops were spotted on the gray lake. Within days dead boots were discovered and soon dead the Eagles began to show up on the Gray wants to thaw and Hamilton lakes. Since the research team had been disbanded a new effort was organized and began to center around a new possibility. We have seen American Bald Eagles actually collecting and feeding on coots and since the kooks are dying and the Eagles are dying we're exploring whether there's a connection between the two. The coots that are on the light the American coots also some of them do have the same lesion that the Eagles have and the lesion that is same is the same as the Eagles in the first episode. And so it raises a lot of questions such as are the coots and the Eagles coming in contact with the same
disease agent independently of each other. Or is are the Eagles becoming affected from eating affected coots for example. So it's possible that there's a link in that way but it's also possible that they're both coming in contact with the same disease agent independently and really through all of the workup that we've done on these birds we feel that the cause of this lesion is a is a toxin whether it's a manmade toxin or naturally occurring toxin. At this point we do not know. What are the symptoms that we look for with sick bird tutorials. Either one has the same symptoms. Why don't motor functions are impaired. You can relate to some of it. Let's drop one and I will stand following from
side to side. The bird tries to fly. It's uncoordinated flight. Sometimes a virgin swimming upside down there I'm able to come up black. Swim but kids are a small water bird there is a season on them they are hunted in some places people enjoy eating them although I've been told they don't taste very good but because there is not an interest in them they're considered almost like a water chicken. There's no interest in them they're all unusual so people ignore them basically and we're finding that this could have been an error on everyone's part. We need to pay more attention to all those elements in the food chain if we want to know what's wrong with the kids as they are seething with the Eagles that answer may very well lie in the queue. More and more tests were run to check for pollutants but the results were negative. One of the strongest leads has come from the study of water levels. Dead Eagles have been discovered in greater numbers following rainfall
that significantly raises the level of the lake. The increase in water level you could have material washing in that could cause it. That's one possibility. However that seems unlikely because the there's not any source is there anything that we know that is toxic in the in the watershed. There's just not any major source that could be a contributor there. The other possibility is that as the water comes up it floods new land land that has not been flooded in the recent past and coots are diving birds they get most of their food from going under water and and picking vegetation out under water. So they're feeding material that a few days ago was tourist fuel or land based vegetation. We've explored to some extent the possibilty that there is some plant there that may be involved.
Nothing in the like looks have normal there have been in other areas primarily in marine environments algae that have been known at certain scrotes stages to produce toxins and have killed fish. We have not seen fish kills here on the leg but we are monitoring algal blooms trying to see if there is some sort of algae toxin or other other microscopic invertebrate or other life that might be ingested by the coops and or the Eagles or the Eagles through the COO said because it could be causing it. Basically we were looking at not leaving any stone unturned were looking at everything no matter how unusual it might saying. We've set up three contract trap codes to determine if they are moving from the oxidation ponds in Arkadelphia to the grey like.
And right now we want to collect three hundred birds and band them with leg bands in orange neck bands have been banded so researchers can scoop them back up from time to time to see if they're staying in one place or moving from lake to lake. We also will be using different color bands for each area. Orange banded coats are from the oxidation ponds like the grade of two different areas they're using light blue and green. WE ARE MY GROUP THINK approach very well come into the PO girls. We've seen egos check their flight patterns ever
having a problem how they're reacting. The Eagles are a little bit but usually able if they're having any problems there on the rail. Our weak point is on the bank in the end. Thank you. The film critic I think will be like great. We are also checking the roadsides to see if we have any incidence
of animals in the area that might be affected. Any deaths and monitor that you are studying or to help further. Right you're about to see a raft here only wash them out with a boat monitor their flight patterns the ones that could be on our door the last one to get up if we're able to get up at all. My Eagles are being trapped banded and fitted with radio transmitters to monitor flight
patterns and feeding habits fish are used to trap the birds and then tiny transmitters are attached to their tail feathers. Dr. Jim Bednarz with the Arkansas State University content has contracted with him and he's hired three students one master student who is coordinating the effort. Second your search for the cross was right above our land said Waters that over there the left far across. They are going out and we can't really relying on their expertise they're the experts and we've given them free reign to conduct the research as they see fit with exactly what's happening there. They're going out monitoring the Eagles putting out by tracking them very carefully and releasing them and using great athletic equipment monitoring where they're going just to see if certain places it might be if we didn't go much to find
out where that's happening. But also to see where are we don't we're going here because they hopefully will maybe lead us birds for you for having a live Eagles is tricky business. Experts have been brought in to teach the fine art of handling live birds of prey to the field workers who've been authorized to capture the birds for study. Then this is this is basically they can bite you in that position. Sorry to do this to you Barry but you know you're in the way things you got to make sure that it doesn't that you don't put them close to your face because while bird at this point will really lash out and try and bite. And a lot of times they'll also try and bite you or your hand you can somebody could you can drive a long way and once or hit is covered there find the thing you got to make sure is if you don't cover your head so tight that they can't breathe. We
hope to find a legal suit. We found the dead and threw out the survey and our people lived and learned to capture those sick Eagles the kitsch that was in. We treat those differently we would take those to a veterinarian so blood can be drawn that we can learn as much from them as possible before they die or whatever. It's definitely a double edged sword because on the one hand we have research efforts that are planned are underway such as toxicology analyses that are entirely dependent upon having fresh tissue from animals that have been exposed to the disease in order for them to progress and get the results. And those new tests may be what could provide us with the final answer.
We also are of the opinion that we would rather not see another single dead bird whether it's an American or a bald eagle because we don't want to lose any more wildlife that the like. But work in Arkansas has captured the attention of wildlife biologists and Eagle lovers everywhere. The Southern bald eagle recovery team has visited to great to work on new laws for protecting the eagle since it's down listing from endangered to protective status. The recovered team did come to gray because of the situation that has existed here over the last couple of years with the significant population of the whole have been making a good comeback. Certainly diets of this magnitude do have an impact on the overall population. There's a lot of interest generated with bald eagles. When you talk to somebody their eyes light up they are excited about bald eagles. They ask you more questions about him. And I I think when people are interested in the
species it's a lot easier to give them information that helps to protect the bird. There is always room for everyone that's involved both the agencies and the personnel on those agencies.
I don't think I've ever in my career been involved and a more coordinated more ordered working group of people. It's almost getting scary in our meeting earlier today I think we're starting to think oh I can think like each other but we all have to put aside divisional boundaries agency boundaries and objectives to work for the common good. Next up for eliminating things that did not kill the birds. Scientists are no closer to a cause or solution than they were in November 1994. But the problem could be spreading with the same drunken sickly symptoms are being found in Georgia and North Carolina on the Arkansas lake where the first dead eagle was discovered. Researchers are dedicated to solving the mystery of the largest die off of eagles
in American history. There's so much in the wildlife world and we've got funding and perseverance to keep our kind of people working together may find the solution. But I I don't know maybe I'm a pessimist but this may be one of those things we're not supposed to get him. I think that we are going to be able to obtain enough pieces of the puzzle where the diligent and determined efforts and continuing to get new scientists and new trains of thought brought into the process that we will answer. But I do not I cannot sit here today and say there will be next week or even next year. It may be 10 years from now but I believe we will solve. No.
Production of this program has been made possible in part by a grant from the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting and the National Educational Telecommunications Association to order a video cassette of this program. Please call 1 800 six six to eighty n. Or write to the address on your screen. You're watching TV here. They
are a formidable place for a giant piece of water a Night Live alongside the remarkably interested in with people. This is the home of the wall a creature we know surprisingly little about robotic and appears slow and clumsy about its underwater it can be too swift. Deadly. Filmmaker Adam Ravitch and his wife producer Sarah Robertson team up with the N word on a damning journey of discovery to learn the secrets of this mysterious Chinese were the ones that warned me about the laws that if I was in the water and one word popped up that I should get out as quickly as possible in a bizarre way that's what attracted me a lot.
I wanted to meet the animal that was responsible for all this fear Corp major funding for techno politics is provided by Bayer Corporation an international research based company in health care chemicals and imaging technologies. Pfizer Inc. We are part of the cure and Intel makers of the Pentium 2 processor additional funding for techno politics is provided by these organizations. Welcome to techno politics now Jim Glassman. America is in love with sport utility vehicles. They're the station wagons of the 90s rugged roomy and the safest thing for hauling your nuclear family to the beach. But consumer groups are beginning to say that it's a done OK.
Let me talk has John look up. Nugent just began four months ago I assume this is not spontaneous and spontaneous burst of outrage or indignation. What Newt is doing he's been out there on his own book tour John. The troops are restless they're saying Lead follow or get out of the way. And I think neutral spondee that the warm and fuzzy Newt of the Gridiron Dinner no longer exist. But it is past time that Republicans spoke up to one defend Mr. Starr. Secondly go after the war room and respond to them and frankly get on the political offensive when what is also a political war on all this is an electoral strategy for the fall. Anecdotal evidence and the polling suggests that the current conservative base might flee. And if Newt Gingrich doesn't deliver the House and deliver the votes in the fall he doesn't have a prayer in the presidential election which is what he wants to do next.
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Program
Saving The Eagles
Producing Organization
Arkansas Educational TV Network
Contributing Organization
Arkansas Educational TV Network (Conway, Arkansas)
AAPB ID
cpb-aacip/111-117m0gsj
NOLA Code
SEAG 000000 [SDBA]
Public Broadcasting Service Series NOLA
SEAG 000000
If you have more information about this item than what is given here, or if you have concerns about this record, we want to know! Contact us, indicating the AAPB ID (cpb-aacip/111-117m0gsj).
Description
Program Description
Our national symbol of freedom, already rare in the world, is suffering from a mysterious and devastating disease. This documentary follows the efforts of a group of scientists, researchers and wildlife specialists from different agencies and organizations to save the bald eagle. Following the program is the very beginning of an episode of Nature, and the very beginning of an episode of Techno Politics.
Date
1998-11-08
Asset type
Program
Genres
Documentary
Topics
Nature
Animals
Subjects
ANIMALS, CONSERVATION, ENDANGERED SPECIES, ENVIRONMENT, FUTURE, NATURE, PESTICIDES, POLLUTION, WILDLIFE
Rights
Copyright 1998 Arkansas Educational Television Network
Media type
Moving Image
Duration
00:33:27
Credits
Distributor: AETN
Editor: Brocchus, Christie
Narrator: Barnes, Steve
Producer: Foley, Larry
Producer: Brocchus, Christie
Producer: Adornetto, Carole
Producing Organization: Arkansas Educational TV Network
AAPB Contributor Holdings
Arkansas Educational TV Network (AETN)
Identifier: B30-2308/1 (Arkansas Ed. TV)
Format: Betacam: SP
Generation: Master
Color: Color
Duration: 00:26:46:13
Arkansas Educational TV Network (AETN)
Identifier: B30-3751/1 (Arkansas Ed. TV)
Generation: Master
Color: Color
Duration: 00:26:50:00
Arkansas Educational TV Network (AETN)
Identifier: SEAG0000 (Arkansas Ed. TV)
Generation: Master
Color: Color
Duration: 00:26:46:10
If you have a copy of this asset and would like us to add it to our catalog, please contact us.
Citations
Chicago: “Saving The Eagles,” 1998-11-08, Arkansas Educational TV Network, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed March 28, 2024, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-111-117m0gsj.
MLA: “Saving The Eagles.” 1998-11-08. Arkansas Educational TV Network, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. March 28, 2024. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-111-117m0gsj>.
APA: Saving The Eagles. Boston, MA: Arkansas Educational TV Network, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-111-117m0gsj